Instrument panel



July '4, 1933. c ADAMS 1,917,079

INSTRUMENT PANEL Filed June 14, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR CLARK M. ADAMS av ms ATTORNEYS July 4, 1933. c. M. ADAMS INSTRUMENT PANEL Filed June 14, 19:52v

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 T 1' INVENTOR CLARK M. ADAMS BY HIS ATTORNIY I PatentedjJulyg l, 1933 cLnnxili. sums, or rorintoo oH'Io, nssiei i els, andmore particularly to the type having 'oneor more dials illuminated, by lighttransj-ij p y pp r lby t c ns @1 and zex 'Eilgureil l's partial, sectlon takenalon the line 717gof.Figure'6;- w p i a the daylight .app

,1 The main object ofthe int eeniewrap light transmitting dial l3 'isfprovided :Eor the v 1;,

. ;P0 n T--'l 3 t1lil d. yth '5 instru e tj12 cooperates with thei dial 1 3 .to V

appearing on the dial.

' panels offthis character, to render the same spur-poses set forth, as will be apparent-from light shield employed therewith;

36 'shownin'Figure3; v sho'wing a further modifieddial;

dial and lightshield therefor;

.sh-own' in Figure 8.; 1

panel shown in Figure 11 '10 which is preferably a dishedsheet metal st m i a Conn-Bremen, 'orgro- E-no, onrro,

" vrnsmit-ulvrnnrrminn F 2 y This. invention relates to instrumen ban-' mitted therethroughl vide a panel of this character with the "dial close to the instrument, and to permit illumination of the dialvby transmitted light without und-esirable'shadow from the instrument othe-l'iobjects Zara-to fbv e instru-il eiit economical to manufacture,convenient to install and otherwisefwell' adapted forfthe the: following description in conjunction with the. accompanying drawings, inwhich Figure 1 is a front elevation of a portion; of the-casing for the instrument'panel; Figure 2iis a section taken along thelineg 2 -2:,of Figure 1, showing the casing assembled into a completed panel; 1 Figure 3 is a detail'of the preferr edform of light transmitting dial andthexopaque;

v ;'Figure-4 is a fragmentaryrearview ofthedial shown in Figure 3-; r I 1; -;Figure 5 isa'modified rear yiew of the dial Figure 6' is ayiewslmilar to Figurefif FigureS .i's aj-detail'of mans modified fragmentary view showing Figure :9 -"is a earance of thQ f dlEtli-Sh OWII' inFigureB; ,v w I Figure 10 is a section throughwthe d 1 1- Figure 11 is a view similar {to Fig 2 :1 but showing modifi d arrangement of the panel; and s .FigureilQ is a partial front eley aition of a modified dial and front cover plate for the The instrument panel; comprises a casing s 1 shown in Figure 1, having one v 50 or-m-or'e apertures 11 adapted to receiyethe I instrument; and-a from esoapingexcept desired ajngl'ass cover. plateQI- may be'fitted plate se s d secured. toget "(1121113 fan opaque" disk held-f 18 and the shaft19fp ,ture'inthe'shield.

* i s-C 1 T e d1 shield 28 so that cs-m e flmm"swam;murmur,ii 1 A conronArron, OF flDEIL A E- f 193a. sefieilno; 617,232.

instrument board 7 1 r -As' shown F- gure through; the aperture l lginto" the. casing. A.

indicate a, reading of the instrument, YEA 1 lamp socket In this form the 'dialj 13 1s, supp instruments-{which ge a a ti ent'eatsjuia,j-

2 aninstrumenti1'2lis p j P- p is secured'tothecasingslO and IS I carriesalamp bulbildwhi-ch eXten-dsthrough 1 a r p 1 in hecas gse asgtoprese rt d y he instrument, preferably by 'bolts18rexte1iding ioutjfrom the ii'istrument and holding-the dial? spaced therefrom." IThe instrument;also hasf a shaft 19 -.which extends throughsmutable, 'aperture in {the dial, for f actuating the pointer ltq A-face plate 20 whichiis1}; re'fer, "=v

abl fa' tdishedfsheetmetal stamping having I the dial lgto prevent-light from the lampll6 through] the dial. If

' "glas cover2l' m'aybe suitably heiffi as by a sheet metal "band 22 orin'iped'over the rimof the easin I instrument 12 the shown the shield 23v is mounted'bj'etween the }the form.

A deflectorf24-is mountedinsidethegcaii adjacent the aperture 1 7 "so' as topfevent I the dial 1S is'illumin ated diffused lighttransmitted therethrougmwith o d sim l Shed- W immi e ns rum n 1 an aperture jregistering-"with the dial 1 3 is y i i I fitted inside thQ asing-1,0 and extends over overtheface plate 20,-andthe basinglO, face:

' Topreyentthe'structure f he instrument l2;from appearing as an "undesirable shadow a v *on the dial l3, 'a lightobstructing'shield 23 is i H 5 I i I hez een i i l h iaper I i.

directfir a'ys from thejlamp"16:;frompassingt a throughthediall3; The insidefof the casing IOan'd also! the deflector. 24 are painted white" orothi'erwise proyidedwith a lightldiffu'sing,

' fused light-thusjfindsits wa y into" sp aceibetween the diallfi and the v i l the indicia '32 transparent.

12, and the dial may readily be read by means of the opaque pointer 14.

The preferred embodiment of the dial 13 is shown in Figure 3 in wnich the indicia shown as numbers are provided with an opaque outline preferably black, the dial 13 being entirely of translucent material such as pyralin which may be any desiredcolor, but preferably having the appearance of ivory. The shield 23 is an opaque disk which has a white surface toward the dial 13, so that this element not only prevents light from illuminating the instrument 12, but also increases the illumination for transmission through the dial 13. As shown in Figure 4: the back of the dial is provided with a solid opaque coating within the outline of the indicia 25 on the face thereof. Thus when the lamp 116 is energized, the field of the dial 13 appears white or any desired color, while the indicia 25 inside the outline thereof appears dark. Vhen the dial is illuminated by daylight, in stead of the lamp, the front of the dial appears all the same shade, except the black outline of the in dicia 2'5.

This dial may be modified as shown in Figure 5 in which the back of the dial is covered with an opaque coating, except the area registering with that confined by the outline of the indicia 25. When this dial is illuminated by light transmitted tl'ierethrough the indioia is illuminated while the field remains dark.

In the form shown in Figures 6 and 7,. the dial 13 comprises a heavy pyralin disk 26 which is translucent and has a gray tint in daylight. The indicia are formed by grooves 27 cut into the heavy pyralin dial and filled with opaque material. This dial is also provided with an opaque disk 23 which also has a light diffusing surface toward the dial 26.

In the form shown in Figure 8-, the. dial 30 is a transparent disk of pyralin. The field of the dial 30 has a matte surface 31 leaving This form is provided with a light shield 33 having a black or colored light absorbing surface on the side thereof toward the rear of the dial 30. When the light 16 is energized the matte surface 31 is illuminated, giving a white appearance, while the black or colored shield 33 shows through the transparent indicia 32 as black or colored figures sharply contrasted to the I white field.

A modified arrangement of the panel assembly is shown in Figure 11. In this form the dial 13 and the glass cover plate 21 are constituted by a single element 35, the opaque pointer 14 in this instance being between the dial and the opaque light shield 23. The inner side of the glass 35 is covered with a translucent coating 36 except for theindicia 37 (Figure 12) which are left transparent. lVith this arrangement when the light 16 is lit, the pointer 14 is visible-through the trans parent indicia 37 and the remaining portions of the pointer 14 not in regster with the indicia appear as a heavy shadow on the trans-- lucent coating 36.

While several embodiments of the invention having been disclosed in detail, the invention is not limited. thereto, but instead includes such embodiments of the broad idea as fall within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In an instrument panel, a casing, an instrument associated with. said casing, a light transmitting dial for said instrument, having a continuous periphery an indicator actuated by said instrument and cooperating with said dial, and an in'iperforate opaque light shield between said insi'jrument and said dial and concealing said instrument from said dial.

2. in an instrument panel, a casing, an instnnn-ei'it associated with said casing, a dial for said instrument, comprising a single pieceof light transmitting material, an indicator actuated by said instrument and cooperating it with. said dial, and an opaque light shield between said lnstrument and said dialcompletely conceali said instrument therefrom, the

inside of said casing and the sideof said shield tmvard said dialboth having light diffusing surfaces.

In an mstrument panel, a casing, an 111- strument supported. by said casing, a light.

transmitting dial for said instrument, an indicator actuated by said instrument and cooperating with said dial, said casing being adapted to supporta second instrument, a source of light within said casing adapted to illuminate both instruments, light strument and dial.

4-. In an instrument panel, a casing, an instrument associated with said casin a uniand an opaque shield between said first mentioned 1ntary light transmitting dial for said instrument comprising a translucent plate having opaque ind1cia. an indicator actuated by said instrument and cooperating with said dial,

and an un interrupted opaque light shield be tween said instrumentand dial, said easing having a light reflecting inner surface.

5. in an instrument panel, a cas ng, anmstrument supported by said casing,

transmitting dial in front of said instrument,

said dial having opaque indicia embedded.

a light' therein, and opaque light shield between said tions' forming a field therefor, and an'fopaque H pointer actuated} by said. instrument in a I planeparallel to said-dial,- andadapted to? cooperate Iwithjthe illuminated indicia lto in-rfl dicateiareadingo'fisaiddiaL Y 17. Ina-n instrument panel, a caslngihaving an aperture, an-mstrume'nt mounted on sa d-- caslng andextendlng through saldaperture,

a translucentdial supported by said instrument and 'having op'aque portions forming indiciavthereoma faceplate-having an aper tureQal-ignedqwith said-dial, and anpopaquef light shield supported by said "instrument' j in back of said dial. I i I 151-; if 8;. Inan instr'ument panel,iag-casing'having an aperture, an instrument mounted .onksaid casing and extending throughrsaid aperture, Y a translucent dial for said instrumenthaving r I portions. of; resistance a to light" transmissionydiiferentfrom manor the-"main portion of said dial and forming indicia therefor, a face plate having an aperture registering jwithjf saiddial, an opaque lightshieldsupported by; said instrument in, back ofi said: dial, said :instrument' ihaving a shaft; -p'assin'g through p Y saidshield; and ldiaL'and apointer'flactuated;

Y by ,saidshaftin the, planeiof- 'saild' facei-platei;'

aperture forcooperating ith saidindicia to Pindicate areading ofsaid instrument. "301;

9.";In an instrument panelyaf cas ng, an

instrument associated with said casing, a1 light transmitting dial :for said instrument: comprising a transparentportion and a"pr+ tion more resistant to, lightt1'aIf1smis'sion,' one" of; said..portionsforming indicia and the Y other forming .a field thereforpa' pointer ac--- "tuat'ed r hy said" i-instr'u'me'nt and cooperating with said'indicia to indicatea reading orig mi ing said'instrument therefrom.

instrument, "'and an opaque light shield between-f -said instrument and said dial Visible; 1 through saidt'r'anspar'e'nt portion butconce'al-y- V v p a instrument assoclated w thsald ca's1ng,a d1al v 10; Ingan' instrument panel, a cas1ng,an"

, instrument as'soci'ated 'with said'casing, a dial I forsaid instrument comprisinga transparent portionand a portion more resistantto light:

transmission, oneof said portions forming Y indicia and the other forming afield therefor,

i transparent portionsoff saidgidial, 'a'n d an" opaque lightshield between said instrumentan opaque pointer actuated by. said instrument in a plane back of said dial whereby a part. of saidpointeris visible through said and said pointer.

.-11. In an instrumentlpaneha clasingpan instrument. assoc ated wlth said casing, a

light transmitting dial for saidjinstrument,

an opaque lightshield in haok of said dial,-

said instrument having a shaft extending :through said shield, and an opaque-pointer mounted on said shaft'and actuated thereby v in a plane between said shield andsaid dial,

said dial comprising :a -transparent portion and a translucentportion, oneof said er- .tions forming indicia and the other forming,

1,917,079 7 -112.-;In' an lnstrument panel, a Cixsihghavafieldithereforflvhereby part ofsaidpo'inter i :yisiblethrough said transparent ipOrtion, and the remainder appears as a .shadow on, 3

said translucent portion, ll

ing' apertures, aninstrument and an electric lamp each mounted on said-casing and extending respectively thereinto through said; apertures,;a;l 1ght transmitt ng dial ior sald instrunier compr sing-"a portion more lie--v shaft and anopa que -p0inter;ac'tuated by said "point-er and having (an aperture through; a Which said shaftmay actuate said pointer, ;1

v V sistant-andaportion lessfresistant t'ojpas-xf ight therethrough,ione ofsaid porthe inner sideofisaidfioasing llaving alight."

diffusing surface, and -means for preventing direct] rayslrom' said-lamp from striking theless :l11glit resistant Y portion of said dial;

'13; In Y an" instrumentzpaiiel, a casing, an v v instrument assoc ated with .sa doas1ng,2a.

through; said continuous-1 annular band of, translucent, maternal, and a fpointer actuated byisaidinstrumentin a 1' lane para1le1 to said dial sad-e perating with saidindiCiato in dicate ;a readin-g thereof, pointer" being, j mounted-on: a short shaft and; close tosaijd instrument, wherebyno shadow'from saidv shaft may fall' on said continuous annular an instrument 1 panel, a casing, an

for said, instrument comprising a vtranslucent portion andjan opaqueportion, one of said 13011510115"formlllg lndlcla, a' P01111361 cooperat;

ing with sa'id.indicia to indicate. a reading dial "for said instrument comprising :a :conftinuous; nnular band' ofrtranslucentmaterial '1havi11gopaque jindicia, f means; for, causing lightwithinsaid casingto"passxoutwardlyf ofsalid dial, 'anopaque light shield between V saidinstrument andsaid 'pointer,fmeansac t'uatedflby, saidiginstrument "and passing if" through said opaque light shield for moving said pointer, a light source ithin said ,cas,-.

,ing, andmea'nsvwithin said casingfor causf through said translucent material.

1 15'. In an instrument panel, a* casing,w-,a

ing lightjfroin said' source to: diffuse "out; i

12 0 Y 1 lamp. and a plurality of 'in'stru'ments supe ported by and projecting-into. saidcasing,

dialmeanscomprising'a plate of lightftrans;

mitting"materialfhaving a, lighturesistant coating appliedto the rear surface ofapor-Q I ntion thereof,.Witl1apertures in said coating forming, indicia'illuminated by said lamp, I said fcoating iforming a field therefor, said" dial meanszexte'ndingover said-instruments to the rim ofsaid easing and constituting at Y car

therewith an enclosure for said instruments,

and a pointer actuated by at least one of said instruments in a plane parallel to said dial and adapted to cooperate with the il- 1 strument mounted in said casin an electric,

b, lamp mounted in said casing, a d1al having a portion more resistant and a portion less resistant to light transmission, one of said por-.

short shaft, and said indicia being arranged in an are about said shaft and a pointer on saidshaft actuated thereby in a plane parallel to said dial and close to said dial, whereby no shadow may be cast by said shaft, in the light from, said lamp passing out through said less resistant portion, adjacent to said arcuately arranged indicia.

17. In an instrument panel, a

casin instrument associated with said casing, a dial for said instrument having portion more resistant and port-ions less resistant to light transmission, said less resistant portions forming indicia and. said more resistant portions forming afield therefor, and an opaque pointer actuated by said instrument in a plane parallel to said dial and adapted to cooperate w1th the 1llum1nated indicia to 1ndicate a reading of said dial, said portion more 18. In an instrument panel, a casing, an

instrument associated with said casing, a dial for said instrument comprismg a translucent portion and an opaque. portion, one of said portions fornnng indicia, a pointer cooper-ating with said indicia to indicate a reading of said dial, an opaque light shield between said instrument and pointer, means actuated by said instrument and passing through said opaque light shield for moving said pointer,v

a light source Within said casing, and means within said casing for causing light from said source to diffuse out through said trans-i lucent material, said opaque light shield beformed by part ofsaid opaque portion of said dial. i tions forming in'dicia andthe other forming v a field therefor, said instrumenthaving'a 19. [In an instrument panel, acasing, a

lamp and a plurality of instruments in said with an inclosure for said instruments, said mask having apertures therein arcuately arranged and forming indicia through which light genera-med by said lamp passes outwardly, and a pointer actuated by at least one of said instruments in a plane parallel to said dial and adapted to cooperate with the'illuminated indicia to indicate a reading of said dial, there being a light surface'in front of said mask and in back of said pointer against which the latter is clearly visible, said instrumez it having a short shaft for said pointor concentric with said arcuately arranged indici'a, and said plane of actuation being close to said mask, whereby no shadow may be cast by said'sh-aft in the light generated by said lamp passing out through said indicia.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to'this specification.

CLARK MADAME. 

